***Sacramento Eco-Terrorism***

By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer
SACRAMENTO (AP) - The second attempted firebombing of buildings
under construction in nearby communities northeast of Sacramento
was thwarted Wednesday, and the FBI said eco-terrorism is suspected
as a motive.
Construction workers discovered five firebombs early Wednesday
at a business in Auburn, incendiary devices of the same manufacture
as those found Dec. 27 at an upscale Lincoln subdivision a few
miles away. All the devices were disabled without causing damage.
The accelerant in all eight devices was a combination of
gasoline and red dye diesel fuel commonly used in farm machinery,
said FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter. Timing devices on
all eight devices also were similar, he said.
"We're leaning toward eco-terrorism," Slotter said, though no
one has claimed responsibility.
Graffiti at the Lincoln homes is similar to that left at other
eco-terror targets. Messages included "U will pay," "Quit
destroying their homes," "Evasion" and "Leave," along with the
name of a short-lived 1980s rock band, 4Q, that favored crude and
violent lyrics and behavior.
The bombs were found in a development at Twelve Bridges, a
golf-oriented, master-planned community in Lincoln. As many as 60
homes are under construction in the area, Lincoln police said.
There had been some controversy over the Auburn office complex'
development because of the destruction of old trees.
Eco-terrorists have targeted new construction in ecologically
sensitive areas in the past. However, similar initial suspicions
last month about the largest residential arson in Maryland history
proved unfounded.
The Lincoln and Auburn construction involved different
contractors, both commercial and residential property, and were in
different, though nearby, communities, making motives such as
revenge by an employee or neighbor unlikely, Slotter said.
No graffiti or other apparent message was left at the targeted
office complex being built in Auburn, in the Sierra Nevada
foothills northeast of Sacramento and southeast of Lincoln.
No witnesses to either incident have surfaced, but the FBI and
federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives asked
anyone with knowledge to contact the Joint Terrorism Task Force,
made up of federal, state and local law enforcement.
The devices found in the recent incidents have not been linked
to other attempted arsons, Slotter said.
Two McDonald's restaurants were targeted with crude firebombs in
2003 in Chico, north of Sacramento. The Animal Liberation Front
claimed responsibility for those attempted arsons, part of a
nationwide series targeting the fast-food giant.